Types & Methods of Surgery for Gynaecological Cancer

Cancers are of two types – benign and malignant. Benign cancers do not require any further treatment. For malignant cancers, the results of medical tests determine the next course of treatment. The treatment may be chemotherapy, or surgery, or a combination of both, depending on the size and location of the tumour, or how patients respond to their treatment.

Surgical oncologists may recommend a surgery for gynaecologic cancer as a parallel treatment with chemotherapy. For patients who are already undergoing chemotherapy and their medical oncologists feel the need for a surgery for better treatment, they suggest their patients to seek the opinion of a surgical oncologist. A gynaecological surgery may also be succeeded by chemotherapy. Otherwise, a surgery may be deemed to be the best available treatment for removal of the cancerous tumour. Dr. Amish V Dalal, an expert Surgical Oncologist with over 30 years of experience in the field, advises his patients regarding the necessity of a gynaecological surgery after assessing the medical tests.

GYNAECOLOGICAL SURGERIES

Gynaecological cancer usually involves the removal of the tumour of the ovaries, uterus and cervix. However, different types of surgeries are undertaken depending on the location of the cancerous growth. Dr. Amish Dalal evaluates the medical conditions of his patients before recommending the suitable surgery. Here are some of the gynaecological surgeries:

Debulking surgery: Removal of as much tumour as possible, while the remaining a cancerous growth is treated through chemotherapy. This is usually recommended when the surgical removal of the entire tumour is not advisable.

Staging surgery: This includes the removal of tissues from different parts of the abdomen or pelvis as a sample to evaluate the stage of cancer. This assists oncologists to assess the next line of treatment.

Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Surgery for the removal of one fallopian tube and one ovary is known as Unilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy.

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: This is the surgery for the removal of both the ovaries and both the fallopian tubes.

Radical hysterectomy: This surgery refers to the removal of parts of the vagina, uterus, the ovaries or the fallopian tubes. Lymph nodes may also be removed on the discretion of the surgical oncologist.

Total hysterectomy: Removal of the cancer, including the cervix, is known as ‘total hysterectomy’.

METHODS OF GYNAECOLOGICAL SURGERY

Dr. Amish Vasant Dalal is accomplished in conducting all the three methods of surgeries that are available in India. These methods are:

Open Surgery: This conventional method of gynaecological surgery, also referred to as laparotomy, follows the procedure of making an incision to reach the organ with the tumour. The surgical oncologists insert the necessary medical instruments for conducting the surgery in this invasive surgery. The incision made may be horizontal or vertical, as it is considered befitting by the surgeon.

Laparoscopy: This minimally or partially invasive surgery is undertaken through smaller incisions, as compared to the Open Surgery. The surgical instruments, and a camera is inserted through the incision to take images of the inside of the human body. These images are reflected onto the video monitor, which the surgeon closely follows to conduct the surgery with precision.

Robotic Surgery: The robotic-assisted ‘Da Vinci Surgery’ is an advanced minimal invasive surgery that features video monitors with the ability to reflect 3D high-definition images. Wristed instruments can rotate and bend as and when the surgeon needs enabling a clear view of organs. This allows surgeons to conduct the surgery with enhanced vision and dexterity. The surgery induces less pain and surgical wounds, leading to faster recovery.

Amish Dalal, being a highly experienced Gynaecologist, discusses with his patients these surgical methods and mutually decides on the method that will be undertaken.

Patients diagnosed with gynaecological cancer can book an appointment with Amish Dalal at Jaslok Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, Bhatia General Hospital, Saifee Hospital or Parsee General Hospital.